Lagos, Nigeria – In a significant development for the software industry in Nigeria, Bimbo Abioye, the Group Managing Director of FINTRAK, has been elected as the President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON). Abioye’s election took place during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, where he succeeded Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, the immediate past president. ISPON serves as the leading professional body for indigenous software developers and practitioners in the country.
Abioye’s election as the President of ISPON signifies a new chapter for the organization, as he brings over 30 years of audit, banking, finance, and information technology experience to his role. Alongside Abioye, other notable members were elected to key positions within ISPON, including Fatumata Soukouna-Coker as the 1st Vice President, Efe Emore as the General Secretary, Raymond Osumah as the Treasurer, and Uche Mbanaso as the Chair of the Policy & Strategy Committee.
In his acceptance speech, Abioye highlighted the importance of growth and value creation for ISPON members, emphasizing the need for the association to attain a chartered status. The chartered designation, he explained, would bring prestige and credibility to ISPON’s name. Abioye announced plans to present a bill to the National Assembly, seeking to establish ISPON as a statutory body through an Act of Parliament. This move would solidify the organization’s position and grant it the necessary authority to represent the interests of indigenous software developers in Nigeria.
Recognizing the vital role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups in driving innovation, Abioye expressed his intention to collaborate with prominent organizations such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), the National Cybersecurity Agency, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Content Board. Through these collaborations, Abioye aims to establish programs that encourage software entrepreneurship, providing startups with access to funding, mentoring, and creating an ecosystem that nurtures collaboration and innovation.
Moreover, Abioye stressed the significance of government collaboration and investment in education and training programs. He expressed his commitment to working closely with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure the government allocates resources to develop a skilled workforce for the software industry. Abioye proposed the creation of specialized programs at universities and vocational schools, along with the establishment of National Software Engineering Institutes in each of the six regions of Nigeria. These initiatives would play a crucial role in equipping aspiring software developers with the necessary knowledge and certifications to excel in their field.
Bimbo Abioye’s extensive expertise and practical subject matter knowledge in financial processes position him well to lead ISPON into an era of growth and success. His vision for ISPON’s future, focused on attaining a chartered status, supporting startups, and advocating for increased government investment in education and training programs, sets the stage for a more robust and dynamic software industry in Nigeria. The software development community eagerly anticipates the impact of Abioye’s leadership and looks forward to the positive changes he will bring to the industry.